House Hunt in Ladue & Frontenac

First up this week is 40 Lynnebrook Road in Frontanac listed by Carla Borgard and Carmen Gassert of Coldwell Banker Gundaker listed at $2,150,000. It is outstanding new all  brick construction in a traditional style with spectacular amenities that have to be seen to be appreciated. Spacious for entertaining a luxurious living, you’ll be amazed at everything this new home has to offer. Call Carla at 314-580-2744 or Carmen at 314-623-7790 to set an appointment to tour it.

Next up is 27 Maryhill in Ladue listed by Tina Niemann of Prudential Alliance Realtors at the price of $599,000. This is a charming Ranch home on a beautiful large lot. It’s a great space for family living and entertaining. Walk out to the patio from the breakfast area and kitchen. Plenty of storage built-ins and formal features will make you right at home. Call Tina at 314-997-7600 to have a closer look.

41 Oak Park is an indoor and outdoor oasis. Gardens abound all around this four-bedroom California ranch making it a fantastic spot for entertaining.  Mary Massey of Remax Results has it listed for $848,700. A pergola and patio overlook the saltwater pool with a lap lane. Indoors there is an orchid conservatory, wet bar and a spacious sunken living room steps from the outdoors. Everything is spacious including the kitchen, master bedroom and master bath. To see it call Mary at 314-566-6633.

Finally, 6 Vistabrook in Ladue offers the sophistication of the Hamptons in Ladue. This five-plus-bedroom four-plus-bath unique home is listed at $2,295,000 by Sandy Coburn, David Joyner and John Sullivan of Janet McAfee Real Estate. Outstanding 3-acre grounds feature an expansive brick patio, a pool with a well-equipped cabana and mature trees in a park like setting. Indoors has plenty of formal space for entertaining and comfortable space for enjoying family life. It definitely a must see. To arrage a tour call Sandy David or John at 314-997-4800.

This week the monthly Case Shiller Home Price Index was released. The big news is that nationwide, the trend for February 2011 is down 3.3% over last year’s February numbers. The index is a composite for twenty major markets and cities all over the county and its based on a three month moving average. St. Louis is not included in the index. What does this mean to us? It’s an indicator of market health but local trends trump national trends. Home sales, although down are reported by local real estate agents and companies to be steadily rebounding form the setback of a couple of years ago. The 3.3 percent drop is a setback to sellers as much of the media notices this calling it close to a double-dip housing downturn.  This reporter finds it strange that none of the pundits cite one of the worst winters in memory weather-wise as a potential factor in keeping people out of the market. It did indeed factor into construction starts.